A popular city centre café, which is currently rated as the best in Bristol on TripAdvisor, is on the brink of closing for good due to ongoing MetroBus works.

The Blue Pig Café has five out of five stars on the customer review website from a total of 234 user submissions and is renowned for its range of delicious sandwiches and pancakes.

But owner Maria Davage has warned her customers that the café might not be around for much longer, as roadworks from the ongoing £230 million MetroBus scheme directly outside the premises continue to severely hamper the business.

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“Since the work started in January our takings have dropped massively and we've lost a lot of our regulars. We are really considering closing as I don’t see how we can survive.

Natalia Vyukhina (Maria's mum) and Maria

"It would be a huge shame and of course I hope it doesn’t have to come to that, but it's a real possibility.

“We have only managed to keep going lately by reducing our wages – it’s a family business which means we are able to do that, but obviously it's not ideal.”

The first phase of the MetroBus scheme is due to launch this autumn, but bosses have been unable to reveal an official opening date for the initial Ashton Vale to Bristol City Centre service - sparking fears the project may be delayed further.

City centre roads have been closed to traffic overnight from 8pm–6am this month due to MetroBus resurfacing work, meaning the café has struggled to receive essential deliveries including bread and milk before it opens at 6am. The closures are expected to last for three weeks, adding to Mrs Davage’s woes.

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“Because we are still the number one café on TripAdvisor, people come here expecting to see something magical, but are instead greeted by road works and dust, so they question why we’re so highly rated which is obviously very gutting,” she added.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work over the years to build up our reputation, but it’s being destroyed by the seemingly never-ending works.”

The road works outside the property

In August, Caffe Vero, opposite Blue Pig, took the decision to close until November due to noise and dust pollution caused by the roadworks.

A MetroBus spokesperson said: “Everything we’re doing is designed to improve the city centre and make it a more attractive place, but you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.